Vincent Collet will he make the big leap across the Atlantic? Asked about a potential arrival of the French coach to the San Antonio Spurs during Media Day this Monday, Gregg Popovich kicked in, with a slight touch of humor. “Oh, you’re asking me to fire one of my assistants? Coach Collet is a good friend, a great coach”, does he slip. The two men have appreciated each other and have been around each other for a long time: the former Le Mans coach, accompanied by his staff, had also spent a few days close to the Texan franchise in the run-up to the Olympics, in January 2024.
This appetite of Vincent Collet for the NBA is not new since the doors of the NBA could also have opened in Ohio. At the end of the Olympics, Kenny Atkinson, a short-lived assistant with the French team during the last Olympics, wanted him on his staff with Cleveland but the Cavaliers front office decided otherwise. “He is one of those coaches in Europe who would do a job as good as, or even better than, the coaches in place”continues Gregg Popovich. “You don't have to be American to spit in the NBA, there has long been this kind of prejudice with players. »
Wembanyama: “It would be a pleasure”
Coach of the French team for the last fifteen years and eight times medalist on the international scene, the 61-year-old technician from Normandy could thus continue the development of Victor Wembanyama, whom he worked with during his year before the draft with the Metropolitans 92 . “If by chance an opportunity (with Spurs) presented itself, I would not hesitate for a single second”he explained in his columns, mid-September, affirming that “come to Spurs [lui] would like it even more [qu’il] is attached to Victor, a player who meant a lot”.
Unanimously elected rookie of the year after a historic season (21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 interceptions, all in 71 games), the native of Chesnay (Yvelines) also said he was excited about the idea of seeing Vincent Collet arrive at Spurs. “I don’t know what the rest of his career will look like but in any case, it would be a pleasure”smiled the 2.24 m inside.
Contacted by DNA of Sports, Vincent Collet's entourage indicated that an arrival at Spurs “was not on the agenda”.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
